Bishkek International Film Festival

About

The IV Bishkek International Film Festival 2026, which will take place from 7 to 12 June 2026, aims to serve as a vibrant platform celebrating the cultural richness of Kyrgyzstan, the growth of its film industry, and the creative spirit of its people. The festival is designed not only as a space for showcasing cinema but also as a place for connection, dialogue, and professional development for filmmakers from around the world.

A central goal of the festival is to support emerging voices in cinema — to create an environment where young filmmakers, actors, and directors can present their work, exchange ideas, and find inspiration for future projects. We envision Bishkek as a meeting point for a new generation of talent, where creativity transcends borders and diverse perspectives unite through film.

For young filmmakers from Central Asia, the festival offers a unique opportunity to gain international visibility while staying rooted in their own region. By bringing international guests and local talents together, the festival fosters collaboration, mutual learning, and the development of a sustainable creative community both within and beyond the region.

The festival program features three main competition sections:

International Competition - the festival’s main competition program, bringing together outstanding films from around the world.

Central Asian Competition — including films from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

KyrgyzBox - a section dedicated to commercially successful Kyrgyz feature films that have achieved notable box office results and strong audience recognition.

In previous editions, the festival has hosted a wide range of international partners and organizations, reflecting its growing presence in the global film community. Among them were SØRFOND, ARTE, La Fabrique Cinéma, the Nipkow Program, the Red Sea Film Festival, members of FIPRESCI, representatives of the Busan IFF, and many others. Their involvement has helped strengthen professional exchange and build long-term connections between filmmakers from different countries.

The festival has also welcomed distinguished guests such as Dominic West, Shinnosuke Abe, Bibi Naceri, Michele Placido, Soji Arai, and many other notable artists and industry figures.

Media coverage came from respected international outlets, including Cineuropa, Asian Movie Pulse, We Project, 98mag, and several other publications, contributing to the festival’s increasing visibility and recognition worldwide.

Awards

International Competition

Grand Prize “Best Film” (awarded to the producer) — 500,000 som

Best Director — 400,000 som

Best Actress / Best Actor — 300,000 som

Special Jury Prize (awarded to cinematographers, screenwriters, composers, production designers)

Central Asian Competition

Grand Prize “Best Film” (awarded to the producer) — 500,000 som

Best Director — 400,000 som

Best Actress / Best Actor — 300,000 som

Special Jury Prize (awarded to cinematographers, screenwriters, composers, production designers)

KyrgyzBox Competition

Grand Prize “Best Film” (awarded to the producer) — 500,000 som

Best Director — 400,000 som

Best Actress / Best Actor — 300,000 som

Special Jury Prize (awarded to cinematographers, screenwriters, composers, production designers)

Additional Awards

FIPRESCI Jury Special Prize

NETPAC Jury Special Prize

Special Prize from the Filmmakers’ Union of the Kyrgyz Republic

Special Prize from the Bishkek City Hall (Mayor’s Office)

Red Sea Fund Special Prize for CAF Pitch

“Contribution to World Cinema” Award

Rules

Bishkek International Film Festival welcomes feature film submissions from around the world. To ensure a clear and straightforward selection process, please follow the guidelines below.

The festival accepts feature-length narrative films only. Documentaries, shorts, and animated films are not eligible. Films containing pornographic material, promoting extremist ideologies, or featuring explicit violence toward humans or animals will not be considered.

Our program focuses on stories connected to social, cultural, or regional themes relevant to Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, as well as films that explore broader human experiences. We encourage filmmakers to submit works aligned with these directions.

By submitting your film, you confirm that you hold the legal rights to the work and that all information provided is accurate. The festival is not responsible for any legal claims or disputes arising in connection with the submitted film.

Premiere Requirements

No premiere requirement